The truth of the matter is, what she collects most is compliments. And while acquiring "things" for the sake of acquisition has never been her thing, she does love a carefully chosen piece of jewelry now and then. Wow her with this artistic Gucci gold plated bracelet with oversized brown crystals. We love the ravishing mix of scale and style. She'll wear this season after season and always think of you.
November 27, 2012
The Venti Girl Gift Guide: The Treasure Hunter
The truth of the matter is, what she collects most is compliments. And while acquiring "things" for the sake of acquisition has never been her thing, she does love a carefully chosen piece of jewelry now and then. Wow her with this artistic Gucci gold plated bracelet with oversized brown crystals. We love the ravishing mix of scale and style. She'll wear this season after season and always think of you.
Posted at 12:59 PM in fashion, glamorous gifts, great gifts, holidays, jewelry, luxury, style, venti girl gift guide | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
November 21, 2012
The Venti Girl Gift Guide: The Gold Digger
If it glitters it had better be gold for this posh princess. What does she want to see beneath the tree this year? Everything. A little gold might do just the trick. May I suggest this opulent oversized Versace crystal cocktail ring? This pretty little accessory is much like the wearer: radiant and impossible to ignore. It's everything a girl wants as a gift: It sparkles, it shimmers, it's golden and it makes her feel important.
What do I love the most? That Greek key border and the unmistakable Versace logo detail. It's a Venti holiday "do" for the fashionista in your life.
Posted at 12:54 PM in fabulousness, glamorous gifts, great gifts, holidays, jewelry, luxury, shopping, venti girl gift guide | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
The Venti Girl Gift Guide: The Charmer
It's hard to go wrong with Chanel. It's nearly impossible to disappoint if the object in question is a treasured piece of vintage jewelry. Such is the case with this vintage Chanel charm bracelet available at shopbop right this second. There's only one available, so if you are the giver or the receiver (or quite possibly both!) don't hesitate. This lovely charm bracelet is made in France (but of course!) and offers both whimsy with its classic appeal. An angel, a bottle of No. 5, a classic quilted flap dangle alongside a turtle and a high heel. These gleaming gold "objets" allow the wearer jingle jangle her way through the holidays. That lucky four leaf clover charm will keep her smiling broadly day and night, as she'll have gilded proof that she is indeed a very lucky girl this holiday season.
Posted at 07:04 AM in fashion, holidays, jewelry, venti girl gift guide | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
June 25, 2012
Hello, Yellow
Carine Gilson Lace trimmed cami & matching shorts, Mulberry Patent-leather wedge sandals, Lanvin Cotton Dress, 22K Gold Topaz earrings
Because sometimes you must BE the ray of sunshine in the world.Posted at 04:10 PM in color trends, fashion, jewelry, style, trends | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
April 02, 2012
Spring Things You Need
Living well when the weather is sunny and breeezy isn't a challenge. But to add a hint more skip to your step, add these pretty and life enhancing things to your life. A little reading, a little beauty and a lot of fashion. It's just what Mother Nature ordered.
1. Oscar de la Renta 24-karat gold-plated wood-effect clip earrings 2. Leigh & Luca Peacock Pink Scarf 3. Jimmy Choo Tropical Print Espadrilles 4. Tom Ford "Catherine" Sunglasses 5. Givenchy Ultra-Shiny Plumping Lip Gloss 6. Deborah Needleman's Best-Selling Book The Perfectly Imperfect Home: How To Decorate And Live Well
Posted at 03:01 PM in beauty, Books, fashion, jewelry, life | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
December 07, 2011
Venti Girl Holiday Gift Guide: The Man Who Has It All
According to my husband, a man who arrives a ta certain status in life must develop a robust knowledge and expertise of one or more of the following: good scotch, hunting, cigars, fine watches or golf. Since I'd be hard pressed to select the right set of clubs for him, and the cigars, hunting and scotch are best shared with fellow males, that leaves me with the lovely task of admiring pretty timepieces.
The latest in my long list of potential candidates is the Ball Trainmaster One Hundred Twenty. Much like my husband, it has classic styling with modern functionality. According to Luxist, this collector's edition luxe watch features a "very shock resistant and antimagnetic case (here in 18k rose gold and 39.5mm wide), as well as use of tritium gas tubes in the hour markers and hands. These tubes are filled with a naturally glowing material for perfect darkness reading for about two decades before the light begins to dim."
Why he'll love it: he'll be able to see the time in the dark of the night and can knock this around without fear of it losing its functionality or handsome good looks.
What I like about it: it's handsome, yet pretty. The clean face features sapphire crystal and is attached to wither a brown or black crocodile strap.
What I'm afraid to discover: the price. I've not seen the actual list price listed online anywhere.
Posted at 10:44 AM in fabulousness, glamorous gifts, great gifts, jewelry, luxury, success, venti girl gift guide | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
August 10, 2011
Boutique of the Week: Sophie Blake
Posted at 03:25 PM in jewelry | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
July 02, 2011
Rock Stars
Shown above are her 18k recycled rose gold earrings with sliced diamonds, weighing in at a stunning $15,780.00. See these and more @ Barneys NY
Posted at 10:26 AM in art, designers, interior design, jewelry, lavish | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
June 24, 2011
Great Scott
I'm still blushing a little bit from the "Blogger we love" feature over on the Kendra Scott blog. Aren't they sweet? (Girls... I love you too!) Of course I had to swing by to see what the fuss was about. I can't get on twitter or read any fashion magazine these days without seeing the name Kendra Scott everywhere. And so... I looked. Now, ladies and gentleman, I see what the fuss is all about. Great scott, indeed! Here are a few of my favorite pieces from her cheerful collection.
Also... I noticed when you sign up for the site you can get a super secret, super special, super awesome 20% off coupon. Enjoy!
Francine Earring in Hula, Paley Cuff Bracelet in Blossom, Otylia Ring in Crush
Posted at 07:01 AM in interviews, jewelry | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
May 06, 2011
Venti Girl Gift Guide: The Thief
She robbed you of your precious heart. Take her breath away with this rock crystal & diamond chain bracelet from Ivanka Trump's collection. The rose gold 0.60 carat weight creation is sure to even the score.
Posted at 08:22 AM in celebrities, glamorous gifts, holidays, jewelry, luxury, venti girl gift guide | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
April 30, 2011
Show Me Your Dallas, Shay Geyer
Ask a native Dallas girl to show you her city, and you'll need to brace yourself for a whirlwind of an adventure. Shay Geyer, daughter of remarkable designer & entrepreneur Beth Rafferty, took on the challenge with glee. We began our busy day at IBB Design, the family-owned showroom where she spends her days. If you're wondering, the "B" in IBB stands for Beth. Shay is second-generation Dallas design royalty and it shows in everything she does.
The showroom itself offers two floors of some of the best brands in the furniture business. Shay and I have had the pleasure of meeting a few times in High Point. We're both guilty of spending too much time in the Hickory Chair showroom. That appreciation for fine quality is reflected in the pieces on display at her business. Room upon room of beautifully styled vignettes featuring Henredon, Maitland-Smith, Century, Barclay Butera, Thomas O'Brien & Suzanne Kasler for Hickory Chair and other greats humble even the most seasoned ASID member.
IBB itself is a full service interior design business. The showroom serves as both retail showroom and to-the-trade resource, making it a must-see for anyone with a penchant for design. I've been in a few times myself, but never seem to canvas the entire property. When you go, don't miss the glistening John Richard room. {Insider tip: Don't see what you're looking for? Ask for a peek inside the attached warehouse and prepare to have your breath taken away.}
Next, we ventured to the Design District for a visit to one of her favorite art galleries, Samuel Lynne Galleries. Shay expressed such fondness for the works of JD Miller, a "reflectionist" (his words) who is the great mind behind a method he refers to as acrylic sculpting. Rather than flat, framed works, JD's pieces have a true depth to them that makes them almost leap from the canvas. We were blessed to discover he was in that morning, and he was gracious enough to share his methodology and his inspiration.
As lovely as his work was (and it is glorious) it was the artist's personality and warmth that made me an instant fan. he believes that we are all responsible for producing positivity and good energy. His works are his way of giving out what he seeks to return. Just listening to him speak was enough to make me want to rush home and begin expressing my own good works.
For a real treat, be sure to attend a live in-studio event on May 21. JD will demonstrate his signature 3-D oil technique from 6-9 that evening. It's an experience you surely will not want to miss. RSVP here.
After seeing so much color and beauty, it was going to be difficult for our next stop to impress. But leave it to a Dallas event to blow away any predetermined expectations. Just after the clock struck noon we were elbow to elbow with fellow fashionistas at Stephanie Anne in Highland Park Village. If any city honors it's own, it's Dallas. Stephanie Anne is a multi-talented designer with a remarkable eye for style. She transformed her home accessory showroom into a DJ-spinning, champagne serving charity fête. We were in another world the moment we walked in the door.
The Super 10 Event served two purposes: it introduced her new line of glamorous jewelry and supported 10 remarkable charities. As attendees sipped cocktails and chatted, we were treated to a fashion show of her colorful and flowy jersey dresses and her impressively hand-crafted gold jewelry. Think: Egyptian royalty and you're almost there. Her pieces reminded me of those found on Pharoahs in ancient Egypt. This is no ordinary collection, and Stephanie Anne (by coincidence, a St. Louis native) is no ordinary entrepreneur. These 24K gold-dipped pieces are sure to be a hit.
As a fellow entrepreneur, I can't wait to see what she launches next. It's fun to see someone turn their stylish vision into reality. Swing by the glamorous boutique to see the pieces in person. Or... take note that Neiman Marcus will also be carrying her fine, fabulous pieces. Stephanie, I'll be seeing you again soon!
Like two modern-day Cinderellas, Shay and I soon realized that 1:30 was upon us and we had to return to reality. Translation: in the middle of this fun day of play and projects we have little ones, both of whom were due to be picked up from school in minutes. Our moments in crystal slippers were fading quickly and it was time to jump back to reality. Time to roll!
Looking back, I'm not sure how Shay does it all. Later that night she headed back out for an industry party honoring the launch of D Home Magazine's new blog. She's a very busy girl and I appreciated her taking time out to show me her version of the city. She's deeply woven into the fabric of this city's busy social scene and effortlessly glides from one role to the next.
Shay, thank you for such a fun outing. I look forward to our next adventure, as I know you still have dozens of fun locations up your sleeve! Hopefully we'll have a bit more time!
Posted at 09:07 AM in art, celebrities, dallas, designers, events, fabulousness, fashion, jewelry, luxury, show me your dallas, success | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
April 28, 2011
Venti Girl Gift Guide: Royal Glamour
Inside every woman lurks the spirit of Egyptian royalty. At least that's what this exotic bracelet leads my heart to believe. Bring out her inner Nefertiti with this stunning Isharya filigree cuff in 18-karat gold. She'll most certainly feel like a queen.
Posted at 07:27 AM in great gifts, holidays, jewelry, venti girl gift guide | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
April 01, 2011
February 10, 2011
Ippolita Rocks
I woke up to the wonderful news that I'd won yesterday's Ippolita Twitter giveaway. Familiar with this brand? You should be. I find myself mesmerized by the jewel tones glistening at the counter at Neiman Marcus. It is an incredible brand with collections that conjur up images of kings and queens of Ancient Sumeria's Ur adorning themselves without restraint. (If you've not brushed up on ancient Mesopotamian civilizations... this is one you won't want to overlook.)
While I've no clue what I might have won, I wanted to showcase some of my favorite pieces from the line. If you still need a Valentine's Day gift for yourself (doesn't every girl do this?), bop on over to their site for something undeniably pretty. And thanks to this amazing brand for their generous gift... whatever it may be!
Posted at 10:31 AM in fashion, glamorous gifts, jewelry, luxury, venti favorites | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
February 03, 2011
Venti Girl Gift Guide: Valentine's Day
Wondering what your favorite Venti girl dreams of for Valentine's Day? Here are a smattering of ideas to get your creativity going. If you look closely you'll discover something at every price point. Keep your lashes lifted for the next installment.
1. Louis Vuitton Leopard Print Scarf; 2. Jimmy Choo Parfum; 3. Lanvin Illustrated Dress Notebook; 4. Christian Louboutin Snakeskin 120s; 5. Diamond Rope Edge Ring; 6. Burberry Trench 7. Valentino Floral-appliqué satin clutch
Posted at 10:20 AM in fashion, glamorous gifts, jewelry, shoes, style, venti girl gift guide | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
November 06, 2009
August 21, 2009
Colorful Tales
By now you must be thinking I've lost my mind. Versace jewelry? It's exquisite. It's expensive. And it's incredible looking.
Let's not kid ourselves here. Jewelry is not a necessity, no matter how much we covet it. Is it meaningful? Yes. But I can't say that any of it is necessary - other than a wedding ring. And even that is merely a symbol of commitment.
So now that we've agreed this is all about sensation and things we lust and want - simply because we want it. Let's continue. The Maia piece above is 18K gold with diamonds and rose-sapphires. Anyone who purchased from the line in June contributed 20% of their purchase price to Global Action for Children. A little giving, a little taking. Another collection (designed by an Italian, of course) I like is by the ever-popular Ippolita. It's the kind of brand you don't want to like because everyone else does. But you just can't help yourself. The bangles above would drive me crazy to wear (I don't like the constant noise they create), but are a thing of beauty in a photo. And like many of the works of art featured this week, they feature large colored stones and small diamonds. Although I normally don't care for bangles, I imagine I'd suffer for the sake of beauty if these appeared in a box on my lap. They are truly beautiful.
Last but not least, I love this Yurman piece. Yes...yes, I know David Yurman went out with Judith Leiber jewel encrusted swan handbags. But I can't deny that I love his work. The twisted metal. The mix of gold with silver. The bold use of color. He is the master of his niche. And while the fashion mags may say he's passe, my local Neimans has an enormous counter devoted to his creations...so he must be relevant. And I'm not ashamed to tell you that one of my absolute favorite pieces from my personal collection is a gold and silver Yurman bracelet, thick as a rope, that my husband gave me. I adore it.
And in the end that's all that matters. You should wear pieces that make you smile. Pieces that mean something to you. Pieces that make your mood shine as brightly as the metal itself. Whether that's Versace for you or just a piece you pulled out of your Cracker Jack box, it shouldn't matter. Jewels, unlike any other accessory, usually come accompanied by story of their origin. Be it an engagement, a trip abroad or personal achievement, they all carry with them a history. These are uniquely personal possessions. It is no wonder that ancient civilizations were buried in all of their finery. It defined who they were.
I wonder... what stories do your favorite pieces tell?
Posted at 06:48 AM in beauty, design, jewelry, luxury, observations | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
August 18, 2009
Natural Beauty
Imagine diamonds so pretty you could almost faint...that were sustainably obtained and had little or no environmental impact. Diamonds in the raw. That's the way Todd Reed likes his diamonds. And after seeing them, so do I.
Now before you go getting all bleary eyed thinking I've gone green, I haven't. (Unless of course you count the fact these pixels are recycled every day and no humans or plants were harmed in the process. But I'm getting off topic now.) I just hadn't seen pieces like Todd's before. They remind me of an exhibit I saw on the ancient civilization of Ur. The very first civilization known to man. Once we got beyond the velvet ropes and crowds, we were able to step up the the protected glass cases to see the adornments and jewels created by these Sumerians.
You might be tempted to think that what we saw was primitive at best. Truly, we were impressed. Ornate headpieces sat alongside heavily jeweled necklaces. (If you think those Vegas showgirls wear heavy headpieces, you should see some of the findings in the Ur exhibit. You'll start thanking your lucky stars your neck doesn't have to hold us such strain - even if the muscles were holding up solid gold.)
Todd's pieces are very reminiscent of these Sumerian works of art. Straightforward, elegant, natural, but completely and deliberately composed. he seems to recognize the natural beauty of the stones and the metal - without feeling the need to polish and buff them into perfection.
Posted at 05:32 PM in jewelry | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
August 17, 2009
That's Some Serious Coin
One of my favorite magazines right now is Town & Country. I adore it. They don't weigh themselves down with fussy things like the economy and the Dow.
I wouldn't call it escapist reading, necessarily. But if you are looking at the market, look at the market. But please, keep it out of my fashion and lifestyle magazines. T&C cooperates nicely with my desire for compartmentalization. This magazine is for those who take their leisure and their jetset lifestyle seriously. It is, bar none, my favorite glossy.
A month or so ago the issue was dedicated almost entirely to jewelry. It was there that I discovered Roberto Coin. His pieces are beautiful. What I loved most about him, however, were the things he shared in an interview.
He is self taught.
He believes you are either both with creativity or you are not.
He believes that design school teaches oyu to design things you've seen. To produce.
To be a creator, he asserts, is the true gift. The ability to create that which has not yet been seen.
And in true fashion, he credits his Italian genes to much of this innate sense of style and creativity. And while his pieces don't at first glance appear to me groundbreaking designs, there is a certain newness to them. A level of detail you don't quite expect. The trademark jewel hidden or inset somewhere into the design. It's marvelous, really.
I happen to agree with Roberto, by the way. You can't teach someone to have an eye for design. I've been in classes with many who wanted so desperately to be creative visually, but it just wasn't in them. True, they could learn to master certain skills...but the best creativity spills forth like a fountain that cannot be stopped. It comes from the heart, not the hands.
And I suspect that's exactly the way Mr. Coin designs... from the heart.
Posted at 04:03 PM in coolfinding, designers, jewelry, luxury | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
August 16, 2009
Stacked
Lately there seems to be a proliferation of innovative jewelry designers. New spins on old classics, exotic accents, over-the-top opulence. Recession? What recession? If recent designs are any indication, the accessories market is hotter than ever.
This week is going to be all about jewelry. Baubles, bracelets, bangles, earrings, pretty things. These beauties? Stacking Rings by Asha and the even prettier Stacking Bracelets. Stunning, no?
Posted at 05:00 PM in jewelry | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
August 14, 2009
Pull Up a Chair, This May Take a While
This week the topic focus was on beautiful printed goods. Be it paper, posters, artwork, stationary... artistic paper is worthy of celebration.
The image above is a clue as to the two topics I'll be covering before the month ends. It features Barbara Barry's exquisite Bracelet Chair for Henredon. Is that not the prettiest chair you've seen in ages? The photo jumped out at me from this month's MetHome magazine. Deeeelish! And the fabric is actually a Barry-designed textile available through Kravet. (At this moment I'm shaking my head and smiling at the ever-prolific Barry. Designers like her don't come around often. But when they do, we should all stand back and watch her craft her web of fabulousity.)
So... what are the topics? Next week is all about jewelry. Bracelets, baubles, bangles, bling... call it what you will. I've been uncovering some of the prettiest pieces available and I'm itching to share them with you. My advice? Freeze your Amex in a block of ice this weekend, because some of my discoveries are irresistable!
The following week we will go chair hunting together. Armchairs, side chairs, low-slung, outdoor... it doesn't matter. We'll talking fabulous seating and that's all that matters. Get ready to drool over some of the beautiful options on the market today.
Until then... have a fantastic weekend. I'm takinga few days off to play in the sun and rediscover my inner Zen. I'll catch you back here next week. Ciao a tutti!
{I'm not the only one drooling over the Bracelet chair. Check out Patrick's terrific post on the iconic designer.}
Posted at 02:12 PM in beauty, celebrities, coolfinding, designers, fabulousness, interior design, jewelry, leisure, style | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
Technorati Tags: Barbara Barry, bling, bracelets, chairs, designers, Henredon, jewels, Kravet, textiles
August 03, 2009
The Duchess and Her Majesty
The jewelry designers at J Crew are nothing short of amazing. These are positively stunning!
Posted at 08:27 AM in jewelry | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
April 12, 2009
Tightly Woven
My wrist has never felt so naked. It serves me right for going back through my emails from Vivre. Blammo! Here is this beauty staring up at me like my long lost best friend. And the product description does nothing to sate my (now newly awakened) need for this bracelet. It begins like a novel, "Like a luminous molten lattice..." or a J. Peterman catalogue.
This woven beauty is by Kara Ross, gemologist and designer of jewelry and handbags. I'll be darned if she isn't just the cutest thing you've ever seen. In case you don't know her luxury brand, she won the FGI Rising Star Accessories Award in 2008.
I'll admit, I didn't know anything about her until I chased down this bracelet. But I love her style philosophy:
What do you think your pieces to communicate to those who wear them? What story do they tell?
I think that my pieces communicate modern elegance with an appreciation for the past and the world around me. Every where I go, foreign or domestic, I try and explore vintage stores, flea markets, bazaars (if they have any), and museums. Fashion to me is about incorporating all that I see and enjoy.
How do you imagine the woman that wears your collections?
A woman with an independent and unique sense of style, classic yet willing to take risks and stand out.
Makes me want that lovely molten latticework piece even more. For more on Kara, check out kararossny.com. I'm betting you'll soon be a fan as well.
Posted at 03:43 PM in jewelry | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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